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WELCOME TO ST ANDREW’S ROSEVILLE SUNDAY 23RD JULY 2017

All that’s going onaround St Andrew’s

FROM THESENIOR MINISTER

REV JOHN DICKSON Senior Minister

Dear St Andrew’s, Whichever side of the media spectrum you’ve been ‘filling your head’ with this week, you will surely have heard the claims and counterclaims about male domestic violence against women in churches, especially in conservative evangelical churches under the guise of ‘male headship’ of the family. The ABC investigative report concluded that “the church is not just failing to sufficiently address domestic violence, it is both enabling and concealing it.” This has been alarming, painful, and confusing. The first and most important thing to say as your pastor and teacher of God’s word: on the Day of Judgment, Jesus himself will condemn all perpetrators of domestic abuse who have not repented and devoted themselves to the way of love and humility. This dramatic way of putting things comes straight from what I said last week about Jesus’ condemnation of the religious hypocrite at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to

me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” (Matthew 7:21-23). If you are harming your wife or children under the pretext of ‘male headship’ in the home (or for any reason), I beg you to repent and seek immediate help. I’m ready to talk. Then again, if you are reading this and you are being abused by your husband, please come forward to me or one of the other pastoral staff immediately. We will do everything to assist you in a wise and sensitive way. I know from practical pastoral experience that Roseville is not immune to this scourge on our families. Please trust us to help. Lord, have mercy! Secondly, the discussion this week morphed into a fight over ‘left’ and ‘right’ media. Andrew Bolt and The Australian delivered a scorching rebuttal, accusing the ABC of a ‘war on Christianity’, and so on. It was unseemly, on both sides. Christians should never fall prey to these easy analyses, of Left and Right, even when we feel rightly dismayed by media reports that cast us in a terrible light. Thirdly, the truth about domestic violence in the church was somewhat obscured by both the ABC report and the conservative backlash.

St Andrew’s News

St Andrew’s News

No one can deny that the journalists involved in the ABC investigation interviewed dozens of individuals (almost all women) who were abused by (male) members of our churches, and some of these victims reported that the perpetrators claimed theological justification for their violent behaviour—the husband is the ‘head’ of the wife, and so on. This is alarming. Even one case of domestic violence in our churches is a blasphemy. But the untruth in the ABC report was the impression left that conservative churches are unsafe places for women. Despite the occasional subtle qualification in the ABC article itself, what was not clear to readers is that the only hard evidence we have—and that the ABC itself relied upon—makes clear a strange paradox: while ‘nominal’ (or sporadic) association with conservative Protestant churches is associated with a higher incidence of domestic violence than is present in the general population, ‘active’ (or regular) association with conservative Protestant churches is associated with a lower incidence of domestic violence than is present in the general population. In other words, while a little conservative Christianity might be harmful for families, a great deal of conservative Christianity might be beneficial to families. This is the conclusion of the scholar cited in the ABC article, Professor Steven Tracy, who writes, “Conservative Protestant men who attend church regularly are found to be the least likely group to engage in domestic violence, though conservative Protestant men who are irregular church attendees are the most likely to batter their wives.” At this point in Prof Tracy’s article, he cites in a footnote a major volume on the topic by W. Bradford Wilcox, Professor of Sociology at the University of Virginia. Wilcox confirms this paradoxical conclusion and offers the following explanation: “How do we

interpret these surprising differences in rates of domestic violence between active and nominal conservative Protestant husbands? I suspect, in keeping with the institutional theory of marriage, that active conservative Protestant husbands benefit from the intense focus on marriage and family life found in many conservative Protestant congregations. The family centred ethos in these congregations probably promotes higher levels of marital emotion work, which protects against domestic violence, and strong social sanctions against spousal abuse. In turn, the high levels of physical abuse found among nominal conservative Protestant husbands may be a consequence of a lingering commitment to patriarchy that is not tempered by church participation.” The bottom line is that a Christian husband’s abuse of his wife is completely contrary to his confession to follow the crucified Lord. Such a man may declare “Lord, Lord” but the Lord himself will reply, “I never knew you”. There is one biblical instruction directed specifically to husbands. It says nothing about making your wife submit to you, or ensuring you express your ‘headship’ over her. It simply reads, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Every blessing, John

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK God our Father, you have preparedfor those who love you such good things as pass our understanding:

pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you above all things, may obtain your promises

which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

All that’s going onaround St Andrew’s

COMMUNITYWATCH

COMING UP Church-Wide Prayer Meeting

Wed 2nd Aug | 7:30pm - 8:30pm In the Church Hall Joining together as a whole church to praise God, thank him for his blessings and bring to him our heart-felt concerns for our local community, our nation and the world.

ESL 15th Anniversary International Dinner Sat 12th Aug | 5:30pm In the Church Hall Please bring friends and family, and somefood to share - an ‘international’ flavour! RSVP by Thu 10th Aug to esl@standrews.net.au

Outreach Series - ‘Making Sense’ Sun 13th - Sun 27th Aug At the 10am, 5pm and 7pm services. A short series that explores how, despite everything, Christianity still provides satisfying answers to our deepest questions

FOR THE DIARY Dates for your diary - more details to come

Sun 27th Aug | Term 3 Belonging Course

PLEASE PRAY Churchwide

Pray for our upcoming Outreach series; that we will be courageous in conversations and invitations.

8:30am Thank God for the long life (90 years) of Eleanor Firth. Eleanor entered the joy of her Lord last weekend. Pray for healing and restoration for Richard Tress and for Judith and Robert Riches following recent illness and time in hospital. Pray for Naida Holliday who suffered a stroke some days ago and thank God that she has mostly recovered from the effects of the stroke. Pray also for the family of her sister, Beverley Glissan, who died last Monday, following a stroke. Pray for Judith Skingsley as she undergoes chemotherapy; that God will give her peace and a good outcome.

10am Praise God that Amity Roger’s re-irradiation treatment this past week was without complication. Amity is now extremely tired from the effects of the treatment. Pray especially for Amity’s younger brother Rufus as he is struggling with this whole situation. Pray

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All that’s going onaround St Andrew’s

COMMUNITYWATCH

for Jackson and Mary Ellen and the enormity of the situation they are dealing with.

5pm Pray for Anne Golsby-Smith who has a severe case of shingles which is causing deep pain and loss of movement in her left arm. Pray for healing for Anne and for wisdom about decisions to be made regarding pain management treatments. Pray also for spiritual courage and refreshment for Tony and Anne; that they will hold all of this in perspective of eternity and God’s ultimate power and deliverance.

7pm Give thanks for an amazing Wintercamp! Three youth who attended recommitted their lives to Christ! Pray that every one who came will ‘take the next step’ in their discipleship journey with Jesus.

Other Thank God for the freedom and safety we enjoy in Australia to follow Jesus Christ and openly preach the gospel. Please pray for the estimated 215 million Christians worldwide that face the daily threat of intimidation, prison and even death for their faith. May God strengthen them in their persecution and encourage us to support them as fellow members of the body of Christ.

MISSION & AID DALE AND RACHEL BARCLAY   

Sunraysia South, Diocese of Bendigo Pray for Rev Dale and Rachel Barclay, with children Samuel, Joseph, Eden and Talitha, serving with Bush Church Aid (BCA) in the parish of Sunraysia South in the Diocese of Bendigo. Pray for Dale as he regularly travels 800 kms return trip to Bendigo for diocesan meetings and events. Pray that the Barclay children will grow with Jesus as their Saviour and Lord and for Dale and Rachel in their parenting. In the next 12 months Diocese of Bendigo will be choosing a new Bishop. Pray for the members of the Bishop Election Board; for vision and energy for their work together. Pray that God will be leading the right person to be appointed. Thank God for the existing care of the homeless in Sunraysia. Pray for protection and strength for those in the front line who feed, minister and supply for their needs on a daily basis.

St Andrew’s News

All that’s going onaround St Andrew’s

HALF-YEARLYFINANCIAL REPORT

The Wardens are pleased to advise that the General Offertory income for the first six months of 2017 has exceeded budget by $8,800 as follows:

2017 YTD Income Budget $484,500 2017 YTD Income Actual $493,500 2017 YTD Income Surplus $ 8,800

Operational expenses have been below budget with savings for the first six months of 2017 being $14,358 as follows:

2017 YTD Expenses Budget $505,355 2017 YTD Expenses Actual $490,997 2017 YTD Expenses Saving $ 14,358

The expenditure saving has been created predominantly because we have not yet appointed a new Women’s Worker in 2017. We are hoping that an appointment will be made soon. Whilst this result is good news, we need to keep in mind that the expenditure budget for 2017 does not include funding for the 10am Focus Pastor. As you will recall from earlier this year, the funding for this position was removed from the budget and the position was to be made redundant due to a reduction in General Offertory during the 2016 year. Not wanting to see this happen, a number of parishioners independently generated funds to

maintain this position for 2017 – this additional giving being over and above their regular giving. Their additional support is pledged for 2017 only. The full cost of employing an ordained 10am Focus Pastor is approximately $137,000 pa. We do, however, need to plan for the future maintenance, and possible expansion, of our ministry to Roseville and beyond. Our budget for 2018 should include the full funding of the 10am Focus Pastor together with maintaining our other ministry positions; however, this can only occur if the 2017 General Offertory increases over the next six months. If there is no increase, we will find ourselves in the same position that we did towards the end of 2016 (ie needing to reduce our ministry positions). Your prayerful consideration of your financial support for our church through to the end of 2017 and beyond is encouraged. The Wardens, together with the Parish Council, wish to thank all who support the ministry of St Andrews financially. Your practical commitment to the work of our church into the Roseville community is very much appreciated. Blessings,Philip Bell, Craig Taylor and Andrew Killen- Wardens

St Andrew’s News

Words you’ll need for today’s contemporary services

CONTEMPORARYSERVICE PRAYERS

CONFESSION Most merciful God, we humbly admit that

we need your help. We confess that we have wandered from your way: we have done wrong, and we have failed to do what is right. You alone can save us. Have mercy on us: wipe out our sins and teach us

to forgive others. Bring forth in us the fruit of the Spirit that we may live as disciples of Christ. This we ask in the name of Jesus our Saviour. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done 

on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins 

as we forgive those who sin against us. 

Lead us not into temptation,  but deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory, are yours 

now and for ever. Amen.

St Andrew’s News

There may be an opportunity for Q&A after the sermon. Questions will be taken from the

floor, or can be texted to 0416 874 993.

KEY CONTACTS Senior Leadership Team

J o h n   D i c k s o n  – Senior MinisterT. (02) 9412 2553

j o h n . d i c k s o n @standrews.net.au

S a n t i n o   D i m a r c o  – Executive PastorT. (02) 9412 2553

s a n t i n o . d i m a r c o @standrews.net.au

S t u a r t   H o l m a n  – Senior Associate MinisterM. 0 4 1 4   4 3 9   7 7 1

s t u a r t . h o l m a n @standrews.net.au

C a t h   A h e r n  – Children’s Minister (Honorary)M. 0 4 0 7   1 5 2   9 9 5

c a t h . a h e r n @standrews.net.au

Group Contacts

Children’s Ministryk i d s @standrews.net.au

Community Projectc o m m u n i t y p r o j e c t @standrews.net.au

Environmental Action Groupeag@standrews.net.au

ESLesl@standrews.net.au

Fit For Goodfitforgood@standrews.net.au

Playgroupp l a y g r o u p @standrews.net.au

Time Outtimeout@standrews.net.au

Youthstayrevive@standrews.net.au

XtremeFridays after school for Years 5&6

xtreme@standrews.net.au

Ministry Contacts

M i k e H a s t i e  – Assistant MinisterM. 0 4 2 1 0 1 4 9 7 7

m i k e . h a s t i e @standrews.net.au

J a m e s S m i t h  – Assistant MinisterM. 0 4 3 8 6 6 9 5 3 0

j a m e s . s m i t h @standrews.net.au

P e t e r   W a t s o n  – Minister for Seniors(Part Time)

T. (02) 9412 2553p e t e r . w a t s o n @standrews.net.au

Church Office

B e c K i m p t o n  – Office ManagerT. (02) 9412 2553

office@standrews.net.au

FINANCIAL SUPPORT DETAILS Supporting the General Ministry

Supporting the general work of St Andrew’s: St Andrew’s Anglican Church Roseville

BSB 032 086 | A/C 387 248 This is our preferred method

to receive your regular support. Alternatively cash/cheque contributions can be made

via the offertory collection during the services. The current year budget includes an allocation of

10% of general offertory to Mission & Aid. Supporting the Property Redevelopment

To support the St Andrew’s Property Redevelopment,tax-deductible contributions can be made via:

St Andrew’s Anglican ChurchRoseville Donation Fund

BSB 032 102 | A/C 141 628 Please include your surname and the initials “PV”

(for Property Vision) in the reference field. Donations by cheque should be made toSt Andrew’s Roseville Donation Fund.

If you would like to support the Property Redevelopment but do not require a tax deduction,

please contact our Executive Pastor, Santino Dimarco.

St Andrew’s Anglican Church Roseville1 Bancroft Avenue Roseville NSW 2069, Australia

T. (02) 9412 2553 | office@standrews.net.au | www.standrews.net.au

Please note that a still photograph is taken during each of the services to assist withconfirming attendance numbers. The photographs will not be used for publication.